Recreational Therapist - COTA - $5000 Sign-on Bonus

UHS•Petersburg, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Poplar Springs Hospital is a 183-bed acute care and residential facility that has been providing behavioral and psychological treatment for adults and adolescents for over 30 years. The facility offers a full continuum of behavioral health services, including acute programs, adolescent residential programs, and programs for active duty military. Located in Petersburg, Virginia, the hospital is situated on 25 acres, offering a serene, nature-like setting designed to promote calm and peace for patients. The hospital aims to provide hope through a nurturing environment where adults and adolescents can flourish. This role involves providing ancillary therapy assessments and consults, leading group activity therapy sessions, managing a caseload, and developing and implementing therapeutic activity sessions. The position requires completing all related documentation, assisting in the development of program strategies, and monitoring and evaluating patient outcomes. The Recreational Therapist will interact with medical, nursing, and other program staff, ensuring timely and accurate documentation. Responsibilities also include participating in referral development activities, cosigning therapy notes as needed, and assisting in training and orientation for new activity therapists and student interns. The role supports staff development, clinical education, and participates in performance improvement and hospital committees. Continuous quality improvement activities, responsible ordering of supplies, and maintaining the environment of care are also key aspects of the position. Active communication with the AT Director and team members regarding AT services is essential, along with performing other assigned duties.

Requirements

Certified or eligibility for certification as Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist OR Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
HWC certification preferred
CPR certification preferred
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and certification.
One to two years previous experience preferred.
Must be at least 21 years of age per Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services.
Must have patience, tact, and a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm.
Good communication skills; must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
Basic clerical skills, basic experience with office equipment (telephone, copy machine, fax, etc.)
Experience with Microsoft Office Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Ability to problem solve and accept feedback when circumstances warrant such actions.
Willingness to interact with patients with varying levels of cognitive functioning.
Ability to troubleshoot and work cooperatively on a multidisciplinary activity therapy team
Ability to multitask and independently manage time in an efficient manner.

Nice To Haves

HWC certification
CPR certification
One to two years previous experience

Responsibilities

Provide ancillary therapy assessments/consults.
Conduct group activity therapy sessions.
Carry a caseload.
Develop and implement therapeutic activity sessions.
Complete all related documentation.
Assist with the development of a related program strategy.
Monitor and evaluate patient outcomes.
Interact with medical, nursing, and other program staff members.
Provide timely and accurate documentation.
Participate in referral development activities as directed.
Cosign therapy notes as needed to assure timely charting of AT documentation.
Assist in providing training and orientation to new activity therapists.
Directly support staff development training and clinical education.
Participate in performance improvement committees and other hospital committees as assigned.
Assist in recruitment and supervision of student interns.
Perform continuous quality improvement activities.
Order supplies and utilize resources in a fiscally responsible manner to provide quality activity programming.
Maintain the environment of care.
Actively communicate with AT Director and AT team members as necessary all issues related to AT services.
Perform other duties as assigned.